Blog Posts in February, 2015

Today's workplaces are growing increasingly reliant upon technologies and devices that aim to streamline and standardize processes. While technological advances are necessary and frequently credited with increasing productivity and reducing human errors, at times these technologies pose safety hazards. In a healthcare setting the stakes are incredibly high and, regardless of how seemingly minor, ...

On Feb. 20, a federal judge here in Miami held the first hearing involving potential class-action suits over defective air bags made by Takata Corp. The Japanese company's air bags have been the subject of government scrutiny for a flaw that reportedly causes their inflators to deploy so forcefully that they rupture and shrapnel flies at the occupants. So far, 64 injuries worldwide have been ...

While it's not uncommon for people to live into their 80s and even 90s in the 21st century, many of our elderly family members require professional care, whether in nursing homes, assisted living facilities or from in-home caregivers. Sadly, when they are vulnerable and dependent, they can fall victim to neglect, abuse or exploitation by the people whose job it is to care for them and sometimes ...

For expectant parents, the birth of a child is a long-awaited and anticipated event the culmination of which is meant to be a joyous and celebratory occasion. However, not all birth stories turn out this way. From medical mistakes made during pregnancy to those that may occur during or immediately following a baby's delivery; permanent physical and cognitive injuries may result that are ...

Floridians who are involved in auto accidents with trucks, particularly tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers and construction vehicles, can suffer severe and long-term injuries. That is if they are fortunate enough to survive. Driver error and negligence are often to blame. Accidents can result when truck drivers are tired, inattentive, intoxicated or reckless. However, some crashes occur because of a ...

For Floridians who believe that they or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, it's essential to act in a timely manner. In our state, the statute of limitations for filing such a suit is generally two years. The clock starts ticking on the date that you either should have or did discover that you were injured by medical negligence or error. If the suit isn't filed by this ...

Legal outcomes in cases where a vehicle is alleged to have a defect are not always black and white. Such is the case in a recent federal jury decision. The case involved a tragic accident in 2006 that killed three people -- two of them children. At the center of the case was a 1996 Toyota Camry. The driver, who served prison time for vehicular manslaughter as a result of the crash, claims that he ...

When faced with an illness, medical condition or injury; Southern Florida residents rely upon the knowledge and experience of doctors, nurses and other health care providers. In many cases, a doctor is responsible for providing a medical diagnosis and appropriate treatment as well as follow-up care. While people who follow the advice of a doctor often expect they will benefit after completing any ...

It seems like deja vu all over again. It's been just a few weeks since the United States Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service announced the recall of meat products produced by a Florida company because they may contain peanuts. The known allergen was not listed as an ingredient. Now another Florida company is recalling some of its pork products for the same reason. ...

In an average year, approximately 2,300 people in Florida die from the flu and 7,300 are hospitalized for it. This current flu season, which began last fall, is shaping up to be worse. According to the Florida Department of Health, over 3,000 of the state's residents have died from "pneumonia and influenza" so far. Aside from the obvious human toll, the virus takes an economic toll on the state. ...

If you have a mortgage in Florida and do not have a homeowner's insurance policy or your policy has lapsed, your mortgage lender has the right to purchase an insurance policy and pass the cost along to you. However, certain lenders, including some well-known financial institutions, have been accused of sticking their customers with unnecessarily high premiums for this "force-placed" insurance and ...